FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates in general to a combination of a Digital Media Source (internal and/or external), such as, a computer hard drive, digital disc player using Digital Versatile/Video Disc (DVD), and/or Compact Disc (CD) format, and/or Compact Flash card, or any other non-volatile digital storage media and device; integrated with a Microprocessor; an Image Projection Device, such as, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or Digital Light Processors (DLP) based projector; a set of controls (with optional remote control), and Audio Components to provide a stand alone system for use as a toy projection system, business projection system, or home projection system.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

[0002] Digital Projection Devices

[0003] Today, fixed installation and portable digital projectors are widely used in many business settings and to a less extent in some home theater applications. Despite aggressive competition and the presence of numerous manufacturers, digital projectors remain relatively expensive and are primarily purchased for and used in institutional settings.

[0004] Today, digital projectors are used as a projection device only taking data and video from a physically separate, independent source such as a videocassette recorder (VCR), computer (via portable laptop or dedicated office unit), camera, or other input device. Thus, current digital projectors are used as an exclusive unit for the function of projection only. Current projection technology must have input from a separate input device connected to the digital projector by purpose built connectors and cabling. Likewise, some digital projectors have speakers built in to provide audio capability but the audio signal must come from a separate independent input device transmitted through wires and cabling.

[0005] There are various digital data and video projection technologies in fixed installation and portable configurations available in the market place that compete on features, such as, brightness, weight, resolution, and compatibility.

[0006] There are 2 dominant technologies in digital projection: LCD and digital light processors (DLP). LCD projectors, as the name implies, use small transmissive LCD displays to create their digital images. These products typically operate as follows:

[0007] a) A projection lamp provides a white light source.

[0008] b) This light is split into the 3 primary colors (red, green, and blue).

[0009] c) The light for each color is projected through a grayscale LCD display that allows the appropriate portion of light for the desired image to pass through.

[0010] d) The 3 filtered colors are then optically recombined and projected for display.

[0011] Digital light processors are similar in concept optically, but of course different in their digital implementation. The filtering device is an array of digitally controlled micro-mirrors, constructed with micro-electro-mechanical (MEMs) semiconductor technology. These devices have an XY grid of very tiny mirrors and each mirror can be independently tilted under digital control in only 15 millionths of a second. Thus, a selective subset of the light source can be reflected under computer control to create an image. Grayscale is achieved by pulsing the mirrors at appropriate rates to pass the amount of light desired. Based upon a close cousin of pure semiconductor technology, DLPs are proving highly scalable in resolution.

[0012] For the purposes of this present invention description, “Digital Projector” shall be used as general terminology to describe a broad range of digital projection technologies including but not limited to LCD and DLP.

[0013] Synchronized Audio Visual Slide or Film Projection Devices

[0014] Today, slide or film projection systems require complex projectors and audio devices. Similar to digital projectors, these systems are relatively expensive and are typically used in business and institutional settings. As in the case of digital projectors, the complexity of the equipment requires a significant amount of set-up, which includes individual loading of the slides into the projector cartridge, film loading and coordination and audio synchronization. Setup normally requires one skilled and experienced in the operation of the equipment and may require a support person during operation.

[0015] Need for the Present Invention

[0016] The relative high price, physical complexity and hands-on set-up and operation of such equipment precludes its use as a child's toy to display a child's stories for a child's enjoyment; as a projection system for enjoyment by family's viewing picture and movie media; or by business, teachers or other professionals who need a self-contained, simple-to-operate, portable system for projecting sound and images/video onto a screen or surface such as a wall or ceiling. Likewise, a self-contained projection system with an integral digital media source would greatly simply the physical effort and technical requirements for business professional presentations by eliminating the need to transport and setup multiple hardware units, such as a laptop computer and projection device.

[0017] Prior Art

[0018] Tanaka et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,437, present a Video Tape Recorder (VTR) equipped with an LCD projector integral therewith, capable of eliminating the complexity of wirings and preventing degradation of video signals. Tanaka, U.S. Pat. No. 5,729,395, present an updated instantiation of a Video Tape Recorder (VTR) with a liquid crystal display (LCD) projector free from a radiation blower. The VTR with LCD projector achieves compactness and reduction of cost, in keeping with the recent market trend.

[0019] Gussin et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,266,980, present an audiovisual story-telling toy, which projects pictures on a surface such as a ceiling or a wall while a story recorded on an audiocassette is played. The toy is a small, self-contained unit, which includes a tape player and a synchronized picture strip projector. The toy includes an insertable, removable cartridge containing film with picture frames sequenced to correspond to the story on the tape.

[0020] Tanaka et al. have reduced the number of separate components, improved the overall wiring requirements, and reduced the total physical envelope dimensions by incorporating VTR and LCD technology into a self-contained projection system. Likewise, Gussin et al., have reduced the number of components and simplified the operation of slide or film projection with separate audio by introducing a synchronized audio-visual story-telling toy.

[0021] Although this prior art represents advancements in the development of less expensive, simplified, self-contained, audio-video projection systems, neither anticipates or provides for a combination of a Digital Media Source (internal and/or external), such as, a computer hard drive, digital disc player using Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), and/or Compact Disc (CD) format, and/or Compact Flash card, or any other non-volatile digital storage device; integral with a Microprocessor; an Image Projection Device, such as, a LCD or DLP based projector; and Audio Components to provide a stand alone system for use as a toy projection system, business projection system, or home projection system. An optional desktop rear projection screen and correction lens provides for the capability of desktop use or applications where no wall or ceiling is convenient, such as tradeshows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Therefore, an object of the invention is to solve the above mentioned problems encountered in the prior art and thus, to provide a combination of a Digital Media Source (internal and/or external), such as, a computer hard drive, digital disc player using Digital Video Disc (DVD), and/or Compact Disc (CD) format, and/or Compact Flash card, or any other nonvolatile; integral with a Microprocessor; an Image Projection Device, such as, a LCD or DLP based projector; a set of controls (with optional remote control), and audio components to provide a stand alone system for use as a toy projection system, business projection system, or home projection system

[0023] The present invention provides an Image Projection Device for projecting images onto a surface such as a wall or ceiling, or desktop rear projection screen using a projection lens configuration with a range of motion capable of achieving the necessary projection angle required to project an image on either a vertical or horizontal surface relative to the position of the projector. The present invention provides a Digital Media Source (internal and/or external), such as, a computer hard drive, digital disc player using Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), and/or Compact Disc (CD), and/or Compact Flash card, or any other non-volatile digital storage device format which provides the source digital signal to a microprocessor which decodes the data and sends the appropriate signals of the image and video data consistent with the input requirements for the Image Projection Device. The present invention provides an audio signal to a microprocessor which also sends the electrical signal to the amplifier which produces audio sound synchronized with the video or image through a single speaker or multiple speakers. The present invention provides for electrical power from either batteries, AC, DC, or a combination of power sources. The present invention provides a set of controls (with optional remote control) and a display to allow the user to advance or repeat the program material, or to begin the program material at a spot other than the beginning. For example, in the case of a child's story, the controls would allow skipping to specific chapters, repeating a chapter, or restarting at the beginning. In the case of a business presentation, the controls would allow the presenter to advance from one slide to the next, start or stop video, etc. In the case where a desktop rear projection screen is used, the image is inverted laterally to maintain the correct perspective.

[0024] In preferred embodiments, the system is enclosed in a housing that is configured to meet the market application. Thus, a system for children would have a housing that was configured like a character from traditional children's stories or popular culture or an object designed specifically to child's play. Likewise, a projection system for the home or professional applications would have a housing with an appearance and configuration similar to commercially available projection equipment. In preferred embodiments, the system will be easy to operate, self-contained, and portable and will be suitable for use by children and adults with minimal skill required. In preferred embodiments, the controls would be intuitive and easy to use, such as the standard set of controls common on CD players and videocassette recorders. In preferred embodiments the digital media source would use an industry standard format, such as the Enhanced CD format or the CD-I format, to provide audio and picture or video data.

[0025] Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide a self-contained synchronized toy projection system for children which would project digital image, data, and/or video media and play an audio recording of a story or lesson, both of which are contained on digital media, such as, a CD, DVD, computer hard drive, or other source and project it on a wall or ceiling surface, or optional desktop rear projection screen, via an integral Image Projection Device based on digital projection technology, such as, LCD, DLP or other.

[0026] It is another object of this invention to provide a self-contained synchronized professional projection system for home and institutional applications which would project digital image, data, and/or video media and optionally play an audio recording of a presentation or voice recording, both of which are contained on digital media, such as, a CD, DVD, computer hard drive, or other source and project it on a wall or ceiling surface, or optional desktop rear projection screen, via an integral Image Projection Device based on digital projection technology, such as, LCD, DLP or other.

[0027] It is another object of the present invention to provide a single, self-contained, less expensive projection system for the presentation of digital media.

[0028] It is another object of the present invention to provide a projection system with a range of motion capable of achieving the necessary projection angle required to project an image on either a vertical or horizontal surface relative to the position of the projector.

[0029] The above description as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of the presently preferred, illustrative embodiment in accordance with the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.